Ski mounted bench



M r 24, 1964 E. R. MULLENAX 3,125,982;

SKI MOUNTED BENCH Filed June 4, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ernest R. Mullenax 1 N VE N TOR.

m -mm March 24, 1964 E. R. MULLENAX SKI MOUNTED BENCH 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 4, 1962 E mes! R. Mal/max 1N VEN TOR.

March 24, 1964 E. R. MULLENAX 3,125,932

SKI MOUNTED BENCH Filed June 4, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I II II I. /I I I68 /90 158 152 I90 I86 I54 154 /1 I62 Ernest R. Mu/lenax D D IN VEN TOR.

" I I L\ BY 14a /5o I88 I52 my United States Patent 3,125,982 SKI MOUNTED BENCH Ernest R. Mullenax, 510 Jackson, Jefferson City, Mo. Filed June 4, 1962, Ser. No. 199,682 9 Claims. (Cl. 115-70) This invention relates to a novel and useful ski mounted bench construction and primarily to a bench or seat construction which is mounted on a pair of parallel water skis disposed in side by side relation.

The ski mounted bench construction of the instant invention may utilize any type of seat or bench construction and the bench construction is secured between a pair of generally parallel skis disposed in side by side relation in a manner whereby the bench construction itself will form bracing between the two parallel skis. In addition, other suitable bracing means between the two parallel skis is provided and it is desirable to have the bench secured to the skis intermediate their opposite ends and with supplemental fore and aft bracing disposed forwardly and rearwardly of the bench for the purpose of rigidly securing the skis together. The bench construction extends transversely of the pair of skis and may be utilized as a seat for persons wishing to experience the pleasure of water skiing without the danger of falling into the water. Inasmuch as the ski mounted bench construction includes a pair of laterally spaced skis which are rigidly secured together, it is very stable and when in motion handles very much like a catamaran type hull.

Older persons who have never learned to water ski, persons having physical defects making it diflicult for them to learn how to water ski and persons who are not good swimmers may use the ski mounted bench construction as a means for enjoying the sport of water skiing.

Although the ski mounted bench construction of the instant invention is constructed in a manner somewhat parallelling the structure of a water toboggan, certain structural features thereof enable the ski mounted bench construction to provide a far more stable and safer ride and also the bench construction to be more readily maneuvered in a manner simulating the manner in which water skis may be maneuvered. Accordingly, the ski mounted bench construction of the instant invention provides substantially all of the thrills of water skiing without requiring the agility, physical strength and swimming ability normally considered a prerequisite for water skiers.

The main object of this invention is to provide a water sport device which may be utilized by persons not having the aforementioned prerequisites normally associated with water skiing.

A further object of this invention is to provide a ski mounted bench construction which will be capable of providing sufiicient buoyancy while at rest so as to enable persons riding the bench construction to mount and dismount the latter without becoming substantially entirely submerged.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a ski mounted bench construction constructed in a manner whereby it may be either pulled behind a towing vehicle by means of a towing line or propelled by a propelling vehicle disposed rearwardly of the bench construction.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a ski mounted bench construction in accordance with the preceding objects including a canopy whereby the persons using the bench construction may be shielded from the sun.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a ski mounted bench construction in accordance with the preceding objects and including a pair of laterally spaced generally parallel water skis which may be simultaneously 'ice oscillated about their longitudinal axes so as to incline inwardly of a turn being executed by the bench construction.

A further object of this invention, in accordance with the immediately preceding object, is to provide control means including a movable actuator for oscillating the ski-s about their longitudinal axes and including means adapted to be secured to the steering controls of a pushing vehicle disposed rearwardly of the ski mounted bench construction and connected thereto for the purpose of propelling the latter.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a ski mounted bench construction in accordance with the preceding objects which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction andeasy to use so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, longlasting and relatively trouble-free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the ski mounted bench construction of the instant invention shown with a propelling vehicle operatively connected thereto and the steering controls of the propelling vehicle operatively connected to a movable actuator of the ski mounted bench construction for oscillating the skis thereof on the longitudinal axes simultaneously and in unison with actuation of the steering controls;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary enlarged top plan view of the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 1 showing the manner in which the movable actuator of the control means is operatively connected to the steering controls for the outboard motor of the propelling vehicle and the parallel skis of the bench construction for rotating the latter about their longitudinal axes;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the support frame for the canopy illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view of the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 1 taken substantially upon a plane passing through the longitudinal center line thereof and with portions thereof being broken away and shown in section;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by section line 5-5 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by section line 6-6 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by section line 7-7 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a simplified form of the ski mounted bench construction;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by section line 9-9 of FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 10 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 10-10 of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by section line 11-11 of FIGURE 9; and

FIGURE 12 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view showing the manner in which the legs of the bench construction may be secured to the Water skis thereof.

With reference now more specifically to the drawings the numeral 11) generally designates the more comprehensive form of the ski mounted bench construction illustrated in FIGURES 1-7.

The bench construction It) includes three longitudinal brace members 12, 14, and 16 to which an elongated bench generally referred to by the reference numeral 18 is secured. The bench 18 comprises a pair of seats 28 and 22 which each includes four depending legs 24 provided with fittings 26 at their lower ends that are secured to corresponding ones of the longitudinal brace members 12, 14, and 16 in any convenient manner such as by fasteners 28.

The seats 20 and 22 are not interconnected by any other means except by means of the fore and aft transverse brace members 311 and 32 which are secured between the fore and aft ends of the longitudinal brace members 12, 14, and 16.

However, if it is desired, the seats 21) and 22 may be interconnected by joining the lower ends of the adjacent legs 24 thereof.

A forward flotation tank 34 is secured to the transverse brace member 31) and a rear flotation tank 36 is secured to the brace member 32 in the rear ends of the longitudinal brace members 12 and 16. A flotation tank 36 is provided for each of the longitudinal brace members 12 and 16.

Each of the seats 20 and 22 is provided with a back rest 38 and an arm rest 40 and it may also be seen that a canopy assembly generally referred to by the reference numeral 42 is secured to the longitudinal brace members 12 and 16 and includes a cover portion 44 disposed above the seats 20 and 22.

A pair of upright tubular socket members 46 are secured to each of the longitudinal brace members 12 and 16 intermediate the legs 24 of the seats 22 and 20 and the canopy assembly includes opposite side sections 48 and 50 between whose upper ends the cover portion 44 is secured. The lower ends of each of the side sections 48 and 50 include a pair of legs 52 which are removably secured in the corresponding socket members 46. A generally rectangular frame 54 interconnects the side sections 48 and 50 at their upper ends and cover portion 44 is disposed over the rectangular frame 54.

A pair of water skis 56 and 58 are dependingly supported from the longitudinal brace members 12 and 16, respectively, and each of the longitudinal brace mem bers 12 and 16 includes three depending journal portions 60 which are pivotally secured between the furcations of three bifurcated mounts 62 carried by the corresponding skis 56 and 58. The furcations of the bifurcated mounts 62 are provided with registering apertures and are pivotally secured to the depending journal 60 by means of pivot pins 64. In this manner, each of the skis 56 and 58 may be oscillated about its longitudinal axis. The inclined lower surfaces of the transverse brace members 30 and 32 define planing surfaces enabling the ski and bench construction to travel at slow speeds while the bench construction is disposed substantially entirely out of the water. While the bench construction skis 56 and 58 have sufficient planing surface area to lift the construction 10 on top of the water while traveling at high speeds, the additional lower planing surfaces of the transverse brace members 30 and 32 are utilized while travelling at relatively slow speeds to maintain the bench construction 10 above the surface of the water. Inasmuch as the planing surfaces of the transverse brace members 30 and 32 are disposed above the lower surfaces of the skis 56 and 58, the planing surfaces of the transverse members 30 and 32 do not interfere with high speed operation of the construction 10.

Each of the water skis 56 and 58 includes a forwardly and upwardly curving toe portion 66 and flotation tanks 68 are secured to the toe portion 66 in any convenient manner in surface to surface contacting relation with the upper surfaces thereof.

A bifurcated mount 71 is supported from the flotation tank 34 directly above the center longitudinal brace member 14 and it may be best seen from FIGURE 5 of the drawings that a guide assembly generally referred to by the reference numeral 72 is secured between the flotation tanks 36 and the rear end of the center longitudinal brace member 14. The guide assembly 72 includes a generally U-shaped guide portion 74 including a pair of upright legs '76 and 78 which are interconnected at their upper ends by means of a bight portion 80. The lower ends of the legs 76 and '78 are secured to the rear end of the center longitudinal brace member 14 and diagonal brace members 82 and 84 are secured between the flotation tanks 36 and the bight portion in any convenient manner. From FIGURE 1 of the drawings it may be seen that there are two diagonal brace members secured between the bight portion 80 and each flotation tank 36.

A propelling vehicle generally referred to by the reference numeral 86 is provided and includes a pair of flotation type pontoon members 38 and 91 between which a connecting plate 22 is secured. The connecting plate 92 has an upstanding transversely extending brace member 94 secured to its rear end and an outboard motor generally referred to by reference numeral 96 is secured to the brace member 94. A thrust rod 98 has its forward end pivotally secured between the furcations of the bifurcated mount '70 by means of pivot pin 1% and the rear end of the thrust member or rod 98 is fixedly secured to the plate 92 in any convenient manner such as by welding 182. The thrust member 98 is guidingly received between the adjacent legs 24 of the seats 20 and 22 and between the legs 76 and 78 of the guide assembly 72.

With attention now directed more specifically to FIG- URES 2, 4, and 7 of the drawings, it may be seen that each of the skis 56 and 58 has an upwardly projecting control arm 106 secured thereto. The control arms 166 are interconnected by means of a connecting rod 108 whose opposite ends are pivotedly secured between the upper ends of the control rods 106 in any convenient manner such as by pivot pins 110. Each of the outside pairs of legs 24 of the seats 29 and 22 has a pulley assembly 112 secured thereto and the rod 168 includes a securing ring 114 intermediate its opposite ends. A control lever 116 has its lower end pivotally secured to the longitudinal brace member 16 in any convenient manner such as by pivot pin 118 and is provided with a ring 120 to which the opposite ends of a bridle 122 are secured. The bridle 122 is entrained about all four of the pulley assemblies 112 and has a pair of rings 124 disposed therein intermediate the rear pulley assembly 112 and the ring 114 secured to the rod 108 to which a portion of the bridle 122 disposed intermediate the rear pulley assemblies 112 is secured. In this manner, as the upper end of the control actuator or lever 116 is moved forwardly, the skis 56 and 58 will be inclined toward the left as viewed in FIGURE 5.

A pair of steering cables 126 and 128 are secured between the rings 124 and corresponding sides of the outboard motor 96. Accordingly, as the skis 56 and 58 are inclined toward the right as viewed in FIGURE 5, the outboard motor 96 will be swung about its vertical axis of rotation in a manner so as to propel the ski mounted bench construction 10 through a righthand turn.

If it is desired, suitable controls for the throttle and gear shift of the outboard motor 96 may also be provided and positioned adjacent the seat 20 for actuation by the person seated on the seat 20.

In addition to flotation tanks 34 and 36, each of the seats 20 and 22 is provided with a flotation tank 132. The flotation tanks are constructed and disposed in a manner whereby the ski mounted bench construction will support at least two persons even when the bench construction is stationary.

With reference now to FIGURES 8-12 of the drawings, there may be seen a modified form of ski mounted bench construction generally referred to by the reference numeral 140 which also includes a bench referred to in general by the reference numeral 142. The bench 142 is continuous and includes three pair of depending legs 144 Whose lower ends are pivotally secured between bifurcated mounts 146 fastened to the laterally spaced skis 148, 150, and 152 of the ski mounted bench construction 140. The bifurcated mounts 146 may be secured to the skis 148, 150, and 152 in any convenient manner such as by fasteners 154 and the lower ends of the legs 144 may be secured to the bifurcated mounts 146 in a convenient manner such as by a fastener 156. The ski mounted bench construction 140 also includes fore and aft transverse brace members 158 and 160, respectively, and a pair of upwardly opening sockets 162 are secured to each of the skis 148 and 152 intermediate the corresponding legs 144 for securernent of a canopy assembly such as canopy assembly 42 illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 3 of the drawings.

The forward transverse brace member 158 is secured to the skis 148, 159, and 152 by means of upstanding braces 164, 166, and 168, respectively, and each of these braces has an eye 170 secured thereto. A bridle 172 is secured between the eyes 170 and a second bridle 174 is secured to the bridle 172 at two points and to the rear end of a tow line 176 by means of an eye 178.

The bench 142 includes a back rest 180 and a pair of arm rests 182 and 184. An elongated seat 186 is also provided and extends the full length of the bench 142 and transversely of the skis 148, 150, and 152. A block of flotation material such as foam plastic is secured to the under surface of the seat 186 in any convenient manner and the block 188 is designed to provide sufficient buoyancy to maintain the ski mounted bench construction 140 and at least two persons at least partially afloat.

In addition to the upstanding members 164, 166, and 168 to which the forward edge of the transverse brace member 158 is secured, identical upstanding brace members are provided for the rear transversely extending brace members 160. However, a plurality of upstanding elongated brace members 190 are provided and interconnect corresponding ones of the upstanding brace members 164, 166, and 168 with the associated transverse brace members 158 and 160 and the skis 148, 150, and 152.

Inasmuch as the propelling vehicle 86 is connected to the bifurcated mount 70 at a point which is spaced rearwardly of the forwardly and upwardly inclined toe portions 66 on the skis 56 and 58 and the bridle 172 is secured to the upstanding transverse brace members 164, 166, and 168, the propelling force attached to each of the ski mounted bench constructions 10 and 140 is connected thereto at a point which enables the ski mounted bench construction to be maneuvered in a manner similar to that in which a pair of water skis may be maneuvered. Usually, with aquaplanes and water toboggans, the extreme forward end portion is attached to the propelling means. However, with the total force of propulsion attached to the forward end of such a vehicle, the maneuverability of the latter is greatly reduced. Accordingly, in order to provide a device which may be maneuvered in a manner similar to the manner in which water skis may be maneuvered, the bench constructions 10 and 140 have been designed so that the propelling forces therefore may be attached thereto a spaced distance rearwardly of the forward upwardly curving toe portions of the skis thereof.

The fastener 156 may either fixedly secure the skis 148, 150, and 152 to the bench 142 or may comprise a pivot fastener for pivotally securing the skis 148, 151 and 152 to the bench 142 in order that the construction may be provided with arms similar to arms 106, a connecting rod similar to connecting rod 108, a bridle and a movable control actuator similar to control lever 116. In this manner the construction 140 may be steered to some extent by inclining the skis 148 and 152 in a direction to which it is desired to turn.

As can best be seen in FIGURE 1, the bench construction 10 includes three skis, the center one of which is defined by the center brace member 14 which includes a forwardly and upwardly curved toe portion 194 on which a flotation tank 196 is secured. In addition, it may be seen from FIGURE 8 that front and rear flotation tanks 198 and 200 are secured to the top of the fore and aft brace members 158 and 161 The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A ski mounted bench construction comprising a plurality of generally parallel skis, an elongated bench extending transversely of and secured between said skis intermediate their opposite ends, fore and aft transverse brace members disposed above and secured between said skis and disposed in fore and aft spaced relation to said bench respectively, means attached to said bench construction adapted to be connected to a thrust member for propelling said construction over the surface of a body of water, said transverse brace members each including generally planar forwardly and upwardly inclined under surfaces disposed above the lower surfaces of said skis.

2. A ski mounted bench construction comprising a plurality of generally parallel skis, an elongated bench extending transversely of and secured between said skis intermediate their opposite ends, fore and aft transverse brace members disposed above and secured between said skis and disposed in fore and aft spaced relation to said bench respectively, means attached to said bench construction adapted to be connected to a thrust member for propelling said construction over the surface of a body of water, a least one of said skis including a forwardly and upwardly curving toe portion spaced forwardly of said bench, said means adapted to be connected to a thrust member comprising an elongated push rod, means pivotally connecting one end of said push rod to one of said brace members for rotation about a generally horizontally disposed axis extending transversely of said skis and disposed rearwardly of said toe portion and forwardly of said bench.

3. A ski mounted bench construction comprising a plurality of generally parallel skis, a passenger support extending transversely of and secured between said skis intermediate their opposite ends, at least one of said skis including a forwardly and upwardly curving toe portion spaced forwardly of said support, an elongated push rod, means pivotally connecting one end of said push rod to said construction for rotation about a generally horizontally disposed axis extending transversely of said skis and disposed rearwardly of said toe portion and forwardly of said support, the other end of said push rod projecting rearwardly of said construction and adapted for rigid connection with pusher-type vehicle means disposed to the rear of said bench construction.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said construction includes control means having a movable actuator adapted to be operatively connected to the steering controls of a vehicle utilized to propel said construction over the surface of a body of water, at least two of said skis being pivotally supported from said bench for rotation about their longitudinal axes, said actuator also being operatively connected to said two skis for effecting oscillation thereof in response to movement of said actuator in a manner adapted to steer said vehicle in order that said two skis may be banked relative to said bench inwardly of a turn being executed by said construction.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said bench construction includes a surrey canopy, means supporting said surrey canopy from and above said bench.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said bench construction includes flotation means adapted to have a buoyant force exerted thereon when submerged in water and secured to said construction above said skis.

7. The combination of claim 2 wherein said construction includes control means having a movable actuator adapted to be operatively connected to the steering controls of a vehicle utilized to propel said construction over the surface of a body of water and at least twoof said skis are pivotally supported from said bench for rotation about their longitudinal axes, said actuator being operatively connected to said two skis for effecting simultaneous oscillation thereof in response to movement of said actuator in a manner adapted to steer said vehicle in order that said two skis may be banked relative to said bench inwardly of a turn being executed by said construction.

8. The combination of Claim 3 including a powered flotatable pusher vehicle secured to the rear end of said push rod, said pusher vehicle including its own steering controls.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said bench construction includes a guide means defining a vertically extending guide for engagement with said push rod intermediate its opposite ends.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,141,196 McLaren June 1, 1915 1,160,569 Bourdon Nov. 16, 1915 2,572,623 Hoppenstand Oct. 23, 1951 2,840,832 Fried July 1, 1958 2,958,306 Haxton Nov. 1, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 517,961 Canada Nov. 1, 1955 1,126,789 France July 30, 1956 1,210,293 France Sept. 28, 1959 

1. A SKI MOUNTED BENCH CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF GENERALLY PARALLEL SKIS, AN ELONGATED BENCH EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF AND SECURED BETWEEN SAID SKIS INTERMEDIATE THEIR OPPOSITE ENDS, FORE AND AFT TRANSVERSE BRACE MEMBERS DISPOSED ABOVE AND SECURED BETWEEN SAID SKIS AND DISPOSED IN FORE AND AFT SPACED RELATION TO SAID BENCH RESPECTIVELY, MEANS ATTACHED TO SAID BENCH CONSTRUCTION ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO A THRUST MEMBER FOR PROPELLING SAID CONSTRUCTION OVER THE SURFACE OF A BODY OF WATER, SAID TRANSVERSE BRACE MEMBERS EACH INCLUDING 